Growing system

ABSTRACT

A growing system for providing fluids to a plurality of growing assemblies using only a single pump and fluid source. The growing system generally includes a single fluid source such as a reservoir from which fluids are drawn by a single pump. A main manifold connected to the pump outlet splits the fluids drawn from the fluid source into a plurality of feeder pipes. Each of the feeder pipes provides fluid to a separate growing assembly; with the present invention providing support for a plurality of growing assemblies. Each growing assembly comprises an inlet manifold for receiving the fluids, a plurality of growing pipes for providing the fluids to a plurality of planters, and a drainage device for discharging fluids back into the fluid source for further use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/846,298 filed on Sep. 4, 2015, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/046,485 filed Sep. 5, 2014. Each of theaforementioned patent applications, and any applications relatedthereto, is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND Field

Example embodiments in general relate to a Growing System for providingfluids to a plurality of growing assemblies using only a single pump andfluid source.

Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

The market for growing systems is growing in size and demand. The demandfor these types of systems will increase as land for farming decreasesdue to population growth. There is also a need to conserve waterresources and minimize the number of separate pumping installations formultiple growing systems. Vertical planting towers are known in the art;however these planting devices each require an individual reservoir. Ifused outdoors with sunlight, the plantings only receive direct sunlightfor part of the day. Other prior art systems contain rows disposed in arectangular arrangement. However, these systems are not suitable forlarge scale farming where each growing site must be exposed to directsunlight throughout the day without significant shading issues.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there istherefore a need for a new and improved growing system that is able tooperate multiple rows of plantings from one reservoir, with a triangulardesign to maximize direct sunlight, minimize shading, and enable directaccess to each growing site from either side of the system for easymaintenance of the plants that would not be as accessible with arectangular configuration. There is furthermore a need to maximize plantyield and conserve water resources over conventional farming methods.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment is directed to a Growing System having tiered rowsof enclosed rigid pipe for the growing sites. The growing system ispreferably a hydroponic aquaponic system, but may also be used forsoil-based systems. Unlike previous growing systems, the rows areunslanted and use the force of a pump, rather than gravity, todistribute water to the rows. With the rows arranged in a north-southdirection, the growing sites are subject to limited shading. Thetriangular design further enables direct access to each growing sitefrom either side of the system. Because of its ease of cultivationaccess and maximized exposure to sunlight, the invention describedherein triples plant yield per square foot over other vertical growingsystems. By recycling water from the vertical growing system back to areservoir, the invention described herein uses 75% less water thanconventional farming methods. By utilizing a single fluid source andpump to feed multiple such growing assemblies, the present inventionprovides even more conservation and efficiency in growing operations.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments ofthe Growing System in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments of theGrowing System that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the Growing System in detail, itis to be understood that the Growing System is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction or to the arrangements of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The Growing System is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detaileddescription given herein below and the accompanying drawings, whereinlike elements are represented by like reference characters, which aregiven by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of theexample embodiments herein.

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first side view of a growing assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a second side view of a growing assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a growing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a growing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a growing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a growing assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a growing assembly of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of a growing pipe and planters ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a frontal sectional view of a growing assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the present invention illustratingfluid flow.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the present invention illustrating fluidflow.

FIG. 14 is an upper perspective view of a growing system in accordancewith an example embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a growing system in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 16 is a first end view of a growing system in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an upper perspective view of the outlet side of a growingassembly of a growing system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an end view of a growing system in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 19 is an upper perspective view of the inlet side of a growingassembly of a growing system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an upper perspective view of a growing system in accordancewith an example embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an upper perspective view of a growing system in accordancewith an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 13 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the growing system 10of the present invention. The growing system 10 may comprise a pluralityof growing assemblies 20; each having triangle-shaped frames 22 made ofsteel, aluminum or other suitable materials, with stainless steel beingpreferable due to its ability to resist rusting. The frames 22 can varyin height and width and, when comprised of a triangular configuration,are configured to have one side of the triangle parallel to the ground.

The frames 22 are spaced apart and are parallel to one another tosupport a plurality of non-inclined, removable, enclosed growing pipes30 uniformly distributed in tiered rows. The length of the growingassemblies 20 may vary depending on the length of the growing pipes 30.In one embodiment, the length of the growing assemblies 20 may each beapproximately 20 feet long at its base and approximately 6 feet inheight at the apex of the triangle. The plurality of growing assemblies20 are fed by a singular main manifold 40, which is preferably 6-inchround pipe, containing manifold valves 45 to control the flow of waterthrough each growing assembly 20.

The rigid pipe 14 may be at least partially comprised of PVC pipe orother suitable material. The size of the rigid pipe 14 can vary but maybe approximately 2-3 inches in diameter, and approximately 20 feet inlength. At the end of each rigid pipe 14 is a pipe reducer 18. The sizeof the pipe reducer 18 is selected based on the size of the rigid pipe14 but preferably comprises a 75% reduction in diameter from the systemmanifold pipe 13. The pipe reducer 18 serves the purpose of slowing downthe water flow rate within the rigid pipe 14 and ensuring that everyplant in the rigid pipe 14 receives a uniform amount of water.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the growing pipes 30 may comprise a pluralityof openings 36 in which plants can grow. The size and spacing of theopenings 36 is selected depending on the size of the growing pipes 30and the type of crop that will be grown. The plants may be placed inplanters 38 that vary in size depending on the size of the openings 36but may be 3.75 inches in diameter. The planters 38 may be net cups orpots comprised of plastic or other suitable materials and perforated onthe sides and bottom to allow water to flow through. The planters 38 maybe smaller than the openings 36, which leaves room around the planters38 for water to flow. The planters 38 may contain rocks and/orfertilizer, such as worm casting.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 13, a single fluid source 70 feeds theentire growing system 10 and is capable of feeding multiple growingassemblies 20 simultaneously. The fluid source 70 may be any containersuitable for holding water or growth medium, such as water with liquidfertilizer. In one embodiment, the fluid source 70 may be a hole duginto the ground which may be lined with a pond liner (not shown) to helpretain water.

The fluid from the fluid source 70 is pumped through a main manifold 40,which may be 2- or 3-inch PVC pipe, to feed a plurality of feeder pipes46 which feed the various growing assemblies 20. The fluid then flowsback through the growing assemblies 20 in the direction of the fluidsource 70 by force of a single pump 72. Any excess fluid in the growingassemblies 20 returns back to the fluid source 70 via one or more drainpipes 62 which may, in some embodiments, be configured into a drainagedevice 60 which is attached to the growing pipes 30 as shown in FIG. 7.

The drain pipes 62 are preferably of a smaller diameter than the growingpipes 30 and may comprise a 50% reduction in diameter size compared tothe growing pipes 30. The fluid source 70 is preferably placed as closeas possible to the growing system 10. Its size is selected depending onthe number of growing pipes 20 and the number of growing assemblies 20it will feed.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, a pump 72 is placed in fluid communicationwith the fluid source 70. The pump 72 may be a 3-horsepower sewage liftpump or other suitable pump 72 which may have a pump rate at least up to13,000 gallons per hour. A pump rate of 13,000 gallons per hour iscapable of supplying water simultaneously to at least three growingassemblies 20. The pump 72 moves the water to a main manifold 40,preferably made of 6-inch round pipe and containing manifold valves 45that evenly disperse the fluid to each growing assembly 20. The fluidentering each growing assembly 20 from the main manifold 40 is dispersedthrough the feeder pipes 46 to control the flow of water through eachrigid growing pipe 30 as described above. Each growing assembly 20contains its own feeder pipe 46. Multiple growing assemblies 20 can bedisposed in adjacent north-south configurations with a common fluidsource 70 and pump 72, with the excess fluid from each growing assembly20 returning to the fluid source 70. FIG. 13 further illustrates thedirection of flow of water through each growing assembly 20.

In other embodiments, sealed electrical heat trace cables 39 can be runthrough each of the growing pipes 30 to be used in the colder months tohelp prolong growing seasons such as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. A pondheater 76 can be used in the fluid source 70 to also help prolonggrowing seasons. The fluid exiting the drain pipes 62 may be dispersedin a controlled manner to a plurality of trays (not shown) suspendedover the fluid source 70, with each tray also having a drain to returnwater back to the fluid source 70. The trays are of an appropriate sizeto span across the reservoir 20, and in one embodiment may be 4 feetwide×8 feet long. The trays can be filled with an appropriate amount offluid, preferably 3-4 inches of water, to start plants for the growingsystem 10.

In further embodiments, probes 82 can be placed at various positionswithin and around the system to monitor parameters such as watering(pressure, flow rate, volume), temperature, light exposure, nutrientlevels, growth rate, etc. Such probes 82 can transmit data regarding thevarious parameters to a remote location via control unit 80 such as acomputer to be evaluated manually or may be automatically transmitted tothe control unit 80, which can adjust various devices (such as manifoldvalves 45 and/or control valves 56), including turning them on or oft inresponse to the data received from the probes 82. Such automation can bevaluable for monitoring and controlling multiple growing assemblies 20for large-scale farming.

Although exemplary embodiments are presented in order to better describeand illustrate the invention, it should be noted that the invention isnot limited to only those exemplary embodiments. Although the inventionhas been described with respect to various embodiments, it should berealized that the invention is also capable of a wide variety of furtherand other embodiments within the spirit and scope of these teachings.

B. Growing Assemblies

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the present invention comprises aplurality of growing assemblies 20 which are fed from a single fluidsource 70 by a single pump 72. The growing assemblies 20 may be orientedin various configurations, and thus should not be construed as limitedto the orientation shown in the figures. While the growing assemblies 20are preferably positioned near the fluid source 70 as shown in thefigures, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments, one or moreof the growing assemblies 20 may be positioned any distance from thefluid source 70.

The growing assemblies 20 may comprise various configurations known inthe art to efficiently grow plants or other crops. In a preferredembodiment as shown in the figures, the growing assemblies 20 eachcomprise a triangular configuration to maximize sunlight exposure toeach of the planters 38. In such an embodiment, each of the growingassemblies 20 comprise an inlet manifold 50, a drainage device 60, and aplurality of growing pipes 30 extending between the inlet manifold 50and the drainage device 60. Each inlet manifold 50 is separately fedfluids from its own feeder pipe 46; with the feeder pipes 46 each beingseparately connected to a single main manifold 40. The main manifold 40is connected to a pump outlet 74 to receive fluids from the fluid source70.

Each growing assembly 20 may comprise one or more frames 22. In theembodiment shown in the figures, each of the frames 22 comprises atriangular configuration, though other configurations may be utilized.The frames 22 include a plurality of receivers 23, typically comprisingopenings or ports formed within the frames 22, which are adapted toremovably receive and retain the growing pipes 30. Each of the frames 22may also include a stand 24 which rests or is driven into the groundsurface to retain the frames 22 in an upright configuration.

As best shown in FIG. 8, each of the growing assemblies 20 includes aplurality of growing pipes 30. The growing pipes 30 will generallycomprise elongated, rigid pipe structures having a first end 31, asecond end 32, an upper end 33, and a lower end 34. A channel 35 extendsthrough each of the growing pipes 30 between their respective first andsecond ends 31, 32. A plurality of openings 36 formed in the upper end33 of the growing pipes 30 to removably receive one or more planters 38as discussed herein. Thus, each of the growing pipes 30 will generallyinclude a row of openings 36 extending across its upper end 33 betweenits first end 31 and its second end 32. As mentioned previously, one ormore of the growing pipes 30 may also include heat trace cables 39 toelongate the growing season in colder climates.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the growing pipes 30 are each connected at afirst end 31 to a drain pipe 62 and at a second end 32 to an inlet pipe52. Thus, a plurality of inlet pipes 52 feed fluid into the growingpipes 30 and a plurality of drain pipes 62 discharge fluids from thegrowing pipes 30. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of inletpipes 52 are configured to form an inlet manifold 50 and the pluralityof drain pipes 62 are configured to form a drainage device 60.

FIG. 6 best illustrates an inlet manifold 50 of a growing assembly 20 ofthe present invention. The inlet manifold 50 is generally positioned atan inlet end of each of the growing assemblies 20. As shown, the inletmanifold 50 will generally comprise an inlet pipe 52 and a plurality ofpipe reducers 54 extending in various directions off of the inlet pipe52. The number of pipe reducers 54 will be the same as the number ofgrowing pipes 30 in the growing assembly 20; with each of the pipereducers 54 being connected to feed its own growing pipe 30. As shown inFIG. 3, the growing pipes 30 may extend through the receivers 23 of theframe 22 of the growing assembly 20.

Control valves 56 may be positioned between the pipe reducers 54 and thegrowing pipes 30 so as to control the flow of fluids therethrough. Thecontrol valves 56 may also be positioned in-line with the pipe reducers54. Each of the pipe reducers 54 may include an outlet 58 which isconnected to the second end 32 of each of the growing pipes 30, such asby an outlet coupler 59. The outlet coupler 59 can serve to reduce thetime necessary for connecting or disconnecting the growing pipes 30 andthe inlet pipes 52. The pipe reducers 54 are generally comprised of asmaller diameter than the inlet pipe 52 so as to restrict and controlflow of fluids therethrough prior to entering the growing pipes 30 attheir respective second ends 32.

FIG. 7 best illustrates a drainage device 60 of a growing assembly 20 ofthe present invention. As shown, the drainage device 60 will generallycomprise a plurality of drain pipes 62 positioned at an outlet end ofthe growing assemblies 20. The drain pipes 62 need not be interconnectedin any way, though they may each be arranged to connect through thereceivers 23 of the frame 22 of the growing assembly 20.

Each of the drain pipes 62 of the drainage device 60 comprises a firstend 63 and a second end 64. The first ends 63 of each of the drain pipes62 serve as an outlet for the drain pipes 62 and thus are positionedover the fluid source 70 so that fluids exiting through the first ends63 of the drain pipes 62 flows directly into the fluid source 70 forre-use. The second ends 64 of the drain pipes 62 are each connected to afirst end 31 of a growing pipe 30, such as through use of a drainagecoupler 65. The use of a drainage coupler 65 can reduce time necessaryfor connecting or disconnecting the drain pipes 62 to/from the growingpipes 30. To control flow, the diameter of the drain pipes 62 willpreferably be smaller than the diameter of the growing pipes 30 to whichthey are connected.

C. Manifold and Feeder Pipes

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the present invention utilizes a singlemain manifold 40 which receives fluids from the fluid source 70 via asingle pump 72 and splits into multiple flows of the fluid; each goingthrough a respective feeder pipe 46 to reach each respective growingassembly 20. By using the main manifold 40 and feeder pipes 46, a singlefluid source 70 can feed a plurality of growing assemblies 20 using onlya single pump 72. In a preferred embodiment, the main manifold 40extends beneath all of the plurality of growing assemblies 20 of thepresent invention.

The main manifold 40 of the present invention is best shown in FIG. 1.As shown, the main manifold 40 will generally comprise an elongated,rigid pipe which extends perpendicular with respect to the growingassemblies 20 (i.e., the orientation of the main manifold 40 isgenerally perpendicular with respect to the orientation of the growingpipes 30 of each growing assembly 20). However, other configurations andorientations may be utilized in different embodiments of the presentinvention. The main manifold 40 may be positioned at various distancesfrom the fluid source 70, but will preferably be near the fluid source70 to improve water pressure and reduce the amount of piping needed.

The main manifold 40 includes an inlet 42 and a plurality of outlets 44.The inlet 42 of the main manifold 40 is fed fluid from the pump 72.Thus, the inlet 42 of the main manifold 40 is generally fluidlyconnected with the pump outlet 74 as shown in FIG. 13. The outlets 44 ofthe main manifold 40 are fluidly connected to a plurality of feederpipes 46. Preferably, a plurality of manifold valves 45 are provided tocontrol flow at each of the outlets 44. The manifold valves 45 may beconnected at the juncture of the outlets 44 of the main manifold 40 andthe first ends 47 of the feeder pipes 46. Alternatively, the manifoldvalves 45 could be in-line on the feeder pipes 46. In any case, the useof manifold valves 45 will enable an operator of the present inventionto selectively restrict flow to one or more of the growing assemblies20. A control unit 80 may also be provided which can be utilized tocontrol the manifold valves 45 automatically or in response to an input.

Each growing assembly 20 of the present invention receives its fluidsfrom one of the feeder pipes 46 extending from the main manifold 40. Thefirst end 47 of each feeder pipe 46 is thus fluidly connected to anoutlet 44 of the main manifold 40. The second end 48 of each feeder pipe46 is fluidly connected with an inlet manifold 50 of a growing assembly20. More specifically, the second end 48 of each feeder pipe 46 isgenerally connected to the inlet pipe 52 of the inlet manifold 50 ofeach growing assembly 20.

D. Fluid Source and Pump

The plurality of growing assemblies 20 of the present invention are allfed by a single fluid source 70 through use of a single pump 72. The useof pipes, rather than tubing, for all fluid flow components of thepresent invention allows such a configuration to be possible asmentioned previously.

The figures illustrate the fluid source 70 as comprising a groundreservoir. However, this exemplary embodiment should not be construed aslimiting on the scope of the present invention. Any fluid source 70 maybe utilized so long as it contains an adequate volume of fluids forcontinuous use of the present invention. For example, the fluid source70 in some embodiments may comprise an above-ground or below-groundcontainer. In other embodiments, the fluid source 70 could comprise awater main or other type of water-transferring conduit.

It should also be appreciated that any type of fluid may be utilizedwith the present invention, and thus its scope should not construed aslimited to water or any other specific type of fluid. In some cases, amixture of fluid and particulate material, such as fluid and a growingaid such as fertilizer (liquid or solid), may be utilized for thepresent invention.

Various types of pumps 72 may be utilized with the present invention solong as the proper pumping force is provided. It is noted that thestrength of the pump 72 utilized will vary depending on how many growingassemblies 20 are being used with the present invention. As more growingassemblies 20 are added to the system, a higher strength pump 72 will benecessary.

The pump 72 is preferably positioned near the fluid source 70, with thepump inlet 73 being fluidly connected directly to the fluid source 70 todraw fluids up into the pump 72. The pump outlet 74 is connected to themain manifold 40 to be further distributed to the growing assemblies 20via the feeder pipes 46. A separate heater 76 may be provided as well,or integrated with the pump 72, to warm the fluids stored in the fluidsource 70. Use of such a heater 76 may increase growing time in colderclimates. The heater 76 may be controlled by the control unit 80, or bemanually controlled by hand.

E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 13 illustrates the interconnection of the various components of thepresent invention. In use, the system is first set up. Preferably, thepresent invention will be set up near an existing fluid source 70 suchas a reservoir. Alternatively, a separate fluid source 70 may be set upor provided by the operator of the present invention, such as byinstalling a container such as a tank. In any case, after ensuringavailability of a fluid source 70, the present invention may beinstalled for use.

The pump 72 is positioned near the fluid source 70, with the pump inlet73 being fluidly connected to the fluid source 70. The pump outlet 74 isconnected to a main manifold 40 that is set up near the fluid source 70.After installation of the pump 72 and main manifold 40, one or moregrowing assemblies 20 may be connected to the system.

Each growing assembly 20 is installed by first connecting a feeder pipe46 to the main manifold 40. Generally, one feeder pipe 46 will beutilized for each growing assembly 20, though in some embodimentsmultiple growing assemblies 20 could share one feeder pipe 46. Thefeeder pipes 46 may be connected to the main manifold 40 so that thefeeder pipe 46 extends perpendicularly with respect to the main manifold40 as shown in the figures, or other orientations may be utilized.

The outlet of the feeder pipes 46, generally comprised of their secondends 48, will be connected to the inlet manifold 50 of the growingassemblies 20 being installed. Any number of growing assemblies 20 maybe supported by the present invention. Generally, the second end 48 ofeach feeder pipe 46 is connected to an inlet pipe 52 of each growingassembly 20. As discussed previously, the growing pipes 30 connect to aplurality of pipe reducers 54 which extend from the inlet pipe 52. Aplurality of planters 38 are positioned within the openings 36 of thegrowing pipes 30, with any type of plant or crop being grown within theplanters 38. The drain pipes 62 are connected to the growing pipes 30such that fluids discharged from each growing assembly 20 are fed backinto the fluid source 70 for further use.

FIG. 13 provides an exemplary illustration of fluid flow in the presentinvention. As shown there, fluids from the fluid source 70 are drawn viathe pump 72 into the main manifold 40. The main manifold 40 distributesthe fluids to a plurality of feeder pipes 46; with each feeder pipe 46being connected to one of the growing assemblies 20. Fluid will flowthrough the inlet manifold 50 of each growing assembly 20, through thegrowing pipes 30 to provide fluids to the planters 38, and exit throughthe drainage device 60 to be discharged into the same fluid source 70that the fluids were drawn from.

The manifold valves 45 may be manipulated to control fluid flow to oneor more of the growing assemblies 20. For example, if one of the growingassemblies 20 ceases functioning (such as due to a blockage at somelocation in the system), that particular growing assembly 20 may be shutoff via one of the manifold valves 45 without affecting operation of theother growing assemblies 20 during service.

The control valves 56 at the inlet manifolds 50 of each growing assembly20 may also be utilized to control flow rate. For example, differentgrowing assemblies 20 within the same system of the present inventionmay house different crops. Because different types of plants requiredifferent watering schedules and amounts, the control valves 56 at theinlet manifolds 50 may be manipulated so that less fluid flows into afirst growing assembly 20 growing a first crop while more fluid flowsinto a second growing assembly 20 growing a second crop. The controlunit 80 may be utilized to automate this process and the probes 82 maybe utilized to monitor the overall functionality of the system as awhole.

F. Alternate Embodiment

FIGS. 14-21 illustrate an alternate embodiment of a growing system 10 inwhich an inlet conduit 90 draws from a fluid source 70 utilizing a pump92 which is submerged in the fluid source 70. The pump 92 could compriseany mechanism, device, or system known to pump fluids from a fluidsource 70, such as a submersible shredder sewage pump. The pump 92 couldinclude a filter to filter fluids being pulled from the fluid source 70.

Each of the growing assemblies 20 is fed fluid by the inlet conduit 90.In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 14-16, three growingassemblies 20 are positioned in a row. It should be appreciated thatmore or less growing assemblies 20 could be utilized depending on theparticular application and the volume of the fluid source 70.

As shown in FIG. 15, the inlet conduit 90 comprises a first section 93extending in a first direction along the length of a growing assembly20. A second section 94 of the inlet conduit 90 extends in a seconddirection at a right angle with respect to the first section 93. In thismanner, the second section 94 of the inlet conduit 90 may extend acrossthe rear ends of the growing assemblies 20 to feed fluid from the fluidsource 70 to the growing assemblies 20 via their inlet hubs 50. Itshould be appreciated that alternate routing could be utilized for theinlet conduit 90 in certain embodiments to accommodate different layoutsof growing assemblies 20.

The fluid may pass through the growing assembles 20 as discussedpreviously. As shown in FIGS. 16-17, each growing assembly 20 mayinclude an inlet hub 50 which receives the fluid from the inlet conduit90 and distributes the fluid through each growing pipe 30 of thatparticular growing assembly 20.

As shown in FIGS. 16-17, the inlet hub 50 may comprise a plurality ofinlet pipes 52 which are each fluidly connected to the inlet conduit 90by a control valve 56. By having a control valve 56 on each inlet pipe52 of the inlet hub 50, individual growing pipes 30 may be shut off forservice or the like without impacting operation of the overall growingsystem 10. Pipe reducers 54 and outlet couplers 59 may also be utilizedas discussed previously. As shown in FIG. 18, each growing assembly 20may include a drainage hub 60 through which the fluid will exit thegrowing assemblies 20 to enter the outlet conduit 100 to be returned tothe fluid source 70. The drainage hubs 60 are illustrated as eachcomprising a central drainage pipe 67 which is connected to an outletmanifold 102. Drainage connectors 68 comprising conduits are connectedbetween the outlets of the growing pipes 30; with each drainageconnector 68 feeding fluid from a growing pipe 30 to the centraldrainage pipe 67.

As shown in FIG. 18, each growing assembly 20 of the growing system 10feeds into an outlet manifold 102 which extends across outlet side ofthe growing assemblies 20. As seen in FIG. 18, the outlet manifold 102may extend in parallel with respect to the second section 92 of theinlet conduit 90. The outlet manifold 102 is fluidly connected to anoutlet conduit 100 which provides an outlet 101 for the fluid over thefluid source 70 such as shown in FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 21, abackflow connector 104 may be connected between the inlet conduit 90 andthe outlet conduit 100. The backflow connector 104 may include abackflow valve 105 which may be selectively opened or closed.

FIGS. 19-20 illustrate an embodiment of the growing system 10 in whichthe growing assemblies 20 may each include plant supports 110 forsupporting growing plants such as vines. The plant supports 110 may eachcomprise inverted U-shaped end frames 110 which are connected to theframes 23 of the growing assemblies 20 by stabilizers 112. Support lines114 extend horizontally between the end frames 111 over the growingpipes 30. Plants from the growing pipes 30 may latch onto the supportlines 114, such as tomatoes or other vining plants.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof,and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilizedwithin the description are for convenience only and have no legal orlimiting effect.

What is claimed is:
 1. A growing system, comprising: an inlet conduitfluidly connected to a fluid source; a pump for feeding a fluid from thefluid source to the inlet conduit; a growing assembly comprising aplurality of growing pipes for growing plants, wherein the growingassembly is fluidly connected to the inlet conduit such that the fluidpasses through the growing assembly, wherein the growing assemblyincludes a plant support for supporting the plants grown in the growingpipes, wherein the plant support comprises a plurality of end frames anda plurality of support lines extending between the end frames; and anoutlet conduit fluidly connected to the growing assembly, wherein theoutlet conduit is positioned so as to dispense fluids from the growingassembly back into the fluid source.
 2. The growing system of claim 1,wherein the growing assembly comprises an outlet end and an inlet end.3. The growing system of claim 2, wherein the inlet conduit extendsalongside the growing assembly from the outlet end to the inlet end. 4.The growing system of claim 1, wherein the growing assembly comprises aninlet hub fluidly connected to the inlet conduit.
 5. The growing systemof claim 4, wherein the inlet hub comprises a plurality of inlet pipesconnected between the inlet conduit and each of the growing pipes of thegrowing assembly.
 6. The growing system of claim 5, wherein the growingassembly comprises a drainage hub connected to the outlet conduit. 7.The growing system of claim 6, wherein the drainage hub comprises acentral drainage pipe which is fluidly connected between the outletconduit and each of the plurality of growing pipes of the growingassembly.
 8. The growing system of claim 7, further comprising aplurality of drainage connectors each being connected between one of thegrowing pipes of the growing assembly and the central drainage pipe ofthe drainage hub.
 9. The growing system of claim 1, wherein each of thesupport lines extends above one of the plurality of growing pipes.
 10. Agrowing system, comprising: an inlet conduit fluidly connected to afluid source; a pump for feeding a fluid from the fluid source to theinlet conduit; a plurality of growing assemblies each comprising aplurality of growing pipes for growing plants, wherein each of thegrowing assemblies is fluidly connected to the inlet conduit such thatthe fluid passes through the growing assemblies; an outlet conduitfluidly connected to each of the growing assemblies, wherein the outletconduit is positioned so as to dispense fluids from the growingassemblies back into the fluid source; and a backflow connector fluidlyconnected between the outlet conduit and the inlet conduit.
 11. Thegrowing system of claim 10, wherein the inlet conduit comprises a firstsection extending alongside one of the growing assemblies and a secondsection extending across each of the growing assemblies.
 12. The growingsystem of claim 11, further comprising an outlet manifold extendingacross each of the growing assemblies, wherein the outlet manifold isfluidly connected between each of the growing assemblies and the outletconduit.
 13. The growing system of claim 12, wherein each of the growingassemblies comprises an inlet hub fluidly connected to the secondsection of the inlet conduit.
 14. The growing system of claim 13,wherein the inlet hub of each of the growing assemblies comprises aplurality of inlet pipes connected between the inlet conduit and each ofthe growing assemblies.
 15. The growing system of claim 14, wherein eachof the growing assemblies comprises a drainage hub fluidly connected tothe outlet manifold.
 16. The growing system of claim 15, wherein thedrainage hub of each of the growing assemblies comprises a centraldrainage pipe which is fluidly connected to the outlet manifold.
 17. Agrowing system, comprising: an inlet conduit fluidly connected to afluid source; a pump for feeding a fluid from the fluid source to theinlet conduit; a growing assembly comprising a plurality of growingpipes for growing plants, wherein the growing assembly is fluidlyconnected to the inlet conduit such that the fluid passes through thegrowing assembly, wherein the growing assembly includes a plant supportfor supporting the plants grown in the growing pipes; a plurality ofsupport lines, wherein each of the plurality of support lines extendsabove one of the plurality of growing pipes; and an outlet conduitfluidly connected to the growing assembly, wherein the outlet conduit ispositioned so as to dispense fluids from the growing assembly back intothe fluid source.